The Name Game...

Hi Max!

I've been asked a few times how we came up with your name so I thought I would let you know. I use the initials m2 (pronounced m-squared) for documents and other places. As soon as we found out we were having a boy, we wanted to go with MMM as your initials. This led us to names like Mason, Matthew, Mitchell, Max, Michael, Martin, Mickey, Miller, Miles, etc. There are quite a few Matthews in the family so we put that one on the back burner. It came down to Mason, Miles, and Max (or Maxwell). We really liked the name Max. It means great and my grandpa's nickname was Mac. We didn't consider his real name Ignatius Strecker Maher. Strecker was my Great-grandma's maiden name. It's a family name that goes back to English royalty. We decided on Maxwell based on a few things: 1) we could call you Max, 2) one of my favorite authors and someone who transitioned my to find Jesus Christ and religion - he really tied religion to success for me - was John C. Maxwell, and 3) if you didn't like the M theme, you could call yourself Wells as well. We went with Michael as the first name because it had the best ring with Maxwell.

All in all, a wonderful name, Michael Maxwell Maher, for a wonderful boy!

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Max's first workout...

Hi Max!

We did our first workout together - kind of. :) We did YogaX together from p90x. This program helped me lose 30 pounds of fat and gain 10 pounds of muscle in 90 days. I am healthy, active, and energetic. I want to play with you for years and years and years. Here is our post-workout video. :)

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

Dude, I have the coolest kid...

Check out this video...

Did that make you laugh or what?

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

First Day of Daycare...

Hi Max!

Today was your first day of Day Care! Mom dropped you off this morning and about noon we both starting texting each other about how you were doing. Finally, at about 2 p.m., I decided to drop by after dropping off my dry cleaning. I walked in (through all the security) and spied on you for about 5 minutes. You were laughing and giggling. You were sitting on the teacher's lap and playing with a ball inside a ball. You were cackling your little cackle of a laugh. I almost teared up. There I was standing in the hallway, leaning on the wall, staring at you and the scene. Your eyes were so alert and you seemed so aware of your surroundings. It was incredible to watch you play. It was if I was watching my son, you, on television. Part of me wanted to open the door and grab you and just hug you so tight and another part, the smarter part, of me stayed in the background watching you play and get used to your surroundings. I should have known that you would adapt quickly...

Quicker than your parents. We texted back and forth all morning. We struggled with it while you took it in stride. I just love that about you. Nothing phases you and you're always happy.

It was the first day of day care and there were tears shed - just none of them by you. I didn't read about this in any of the manuals. Oh yeah, no manuals. Maybe that will be my next book. One of the chapters would be called "The First Day of Daycare." And I'd tell the parents not to worry because kids are adaptable.

I was proud of my son today - swelling with pride, in fact. It was so great to see you smiling, having fun, and so at ease in your new surroundings. You're awesome (of course, your name is Max). :)

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

If this doesn't make you smile, nothing will.

Hi Max!

You love your new Johnny Jumper! This helps your legs get stronger so you can learn to walk faster. You're growing up so fast, buster. :)

Love that laugh.

To Your Success,

Max's Dad (Michael)

P.S. Here's the video!

8 month pictures!...

Hi Max!

We went to Portrait Innovations for your 8-month photos. We had a lot of fun and I'm always amazed at how comfortable you are in front of the camera. You're photogenic and the photographer was having fun. Do you always smile?! I love it. :)

The Car Jar...

Hi Max!

I was reading on Facebook and a note by Joe Stumpf caught my eye. 

> How To Create your Jar For The Car

The day my oldest daughter Traci was born, September 10th 1986 my best friend and mentor Milton Merrill said to me “ today is the day you start the jar for the car.”

I said “ what do you mean,” he said get a couple of empty 5 gallon sparkles jugs put them in you closet and every time you have loose change throw it in the jar because in 16 years you will need to buy her a car and hopefully you will have a your jar full which will be the jar for the car. 

I did what he said, and 16 years latter I saved $7,200 in penny's, nickels, dimes and quarters. A smart man once said to me," Joe when it comes to money most people overestimate what they can achieve in 1 year and underestimate what they can achieve in 5 years."

But when your commit to the long term, amazing thins start to happen. Saving $1.25 a day doesn’t amount to much over a month, but over 16 years it’s $7,200 and bought ½ a car.

What sort of life do you want to have in 5 years, 10 years, 20 years? 

Go to the website http://www.ingyournumber.com/ and discover how much money you need in the future to create a vision of the future you desire, then become willing to do whatever it takes to bring it into being. 

As you focus each day on the future you’re creating and keep taking action to continue bringing it into being, you’ll be amazed at how much you can accomplish

As you continue to deepen your money making mindset you may choose to further embrace the wisdom of Woody Allen when he said, "Money is better than poverty, if only for financial reasons." 

Today ask yourself.. What can I start saving today that will have a big effect in the long term?

Joe Stumpf <

Today, I start my Car Jar for you Max (I have a change jar started and today it gets bigger and more important - behold The Car Jar!). At 16, I'll help you buy your first car. It will be some sort of tank and it will have a speed governor, but it will be your first car. :) 

Thank you Joe for the great note and the inspiration to consolidate my change to a specific goal. What was ordinary change, now has a name and with that name, a purpose. Max, remember that. Take what may be insignificant and taken for granted, give it a name and a purpose. For example, your mom and I have been going on Date Nights every Friday for several years now. What is Date Night? Essentially, it is time for your mom and I to quit thinking about our professions and focus on each other. Date Night legitimizes this time off and has now become something we both look forward to each week. 

To Your Success, 

Max's Dad (Michael)